Postcard – Multi-Colour William Kentridge Drawing For Ii Sole 24 Ore A5

William Kentridge was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Kentridge, who is celebrated internationally for his prints, animated films, drawings and theatre productions, continues to live and work in Johannesburg. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics and African Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, together with a diploma in Fine Arts from the Johannesburg Art Foundation. As a former aspiring actor, he also studied mime and theatre at the L’Ecole the Internationale de Theatre Jacques Lecoq in Paris. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Literature at the University of the Witwatersrand (2004).

The drawing for Il Sole 24 Ore is the gas mask on its hind legs. It was made following an invitation to create drawings for the cover of the Sunday edition of the Italian newspaper, Il Sole 24 Ore. Four drawings were published, one a week, over the course of four weeks. The images refer to Italian artistry-paintings by Giotto di Bondone-and to other images from Italian history. The gas mask refers to the poisonous gassing of Ethiopian civilians in the war between Italy and Abyssinia (present-day Ethiopia) in the 1930s.

Drawing for II Sole 24 Ore. 2007. Charcoal and pastel on paper 213 x 150 cm.